SHAKEELA ANDRABI
SRINAGAR: Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has failed to prevent movement of stray animals on city roads, stray dogs, horses, cows etc thereby posing risk of accidents to pedestrians & motorists. Residents of several areas in summer capital often complain about presence of stray animals on roads, many times resulting in accidents. Residents of various areas including Bemina, Barzulla, Rawalpora, Lal Bazar, Bota Kadal, Alamgari Bazar, Nowhatta, Khanyar, Bagaate Shoor Umer Colony, Saderbal, Bypass and Sanat Nagar etc have said that increasing population of stray animals hamper vehicular and pedestrian movement. “Stray animals stand in middle of roads, bringing entire traffic to halt at times. Dozens of animals like cows and calves keep roaming in localities throughout the day. Sometimes they move in herd posing risk to pedestrians,” said residents of Bagaate shoor area of Lal Bazar. “Problem is growing with each passing day. The authorities seem to have run out of options to address the menace,” said commuters of Lal Bazar and adjacent areas, adding that in some areas of Srinagar, stray animals even enter premises of their houses.
Earlier, in April Srinagar district administration ordered for setting up of Animal Rescue Centres to rescue stray animals. This centre was a most-needed project for residents of Srinagar city as there are hundreds of stray animals which are often sitting in middle of the main roads and many times create huge traffic jams. To set Animal Rescue Centre a place was also identified at Athwajan area and land was recently transferred to Animal Husbandry Department. Though Joint commissioner SMC told that Corporation is already working on curbing stray dog menace and for rescue/rehabilitation of animals can join hands with the concerned Department to multiply efforts, but it was observed that SMC failed to restrict movement of stray animals on roads in summer capital posing risk of accidents for commuters.
SMC veterinary section also claimed that they are collecting fines relating to allowing stray animals roam on roads, and many times inform owners besides making them aware of the issue. “Other stray animals are being lifted and owners of the animals are penalized under rules, while abandoned animals are being shifted to cattle pound,” said Joint commissioner SMC, adding, “We are looking at a programme for rehabilitation of such animals so that this issue can be resolved effectively.”